|Full description=Gnuzilla is the GNU version of the Mozilla suite, and IceCat is the GNU version of the Firefox browser. Its main advantage is an ethical one: it is entirely free software. While the source code from the Mozilla project is free software, the binaries that they release include additional non-free software. Also, they distribute non-free software as plug-ins. (IceCat does keep the triple licensing used by Firefox to facilitate the reuse of code.) IceCat also includes some privacy protection features:

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|Full description=IceCat is the GNU version of the Firefox browser. Its main advantage is an ethical one: it is entirely free software. While the source code from the Mozilla project is free software, the binaries that they release include additional non-free software. Also, they distribute non-free software as plug-ins. (IceCat does keep the triple licensing used by Firefox to facilitate the reuse of code.) IceCat also includes some privacy protection features:

# Some sites refer to zero-size images on other hosts to keep track of cookies. When IceCat detects this mechanism it blocks cookies from the site hosting the zero-length image file. (It is possible to re-enable such a site by removing it from the blocked hosts list.)

# Some sites refer to zero-size images on other hosts to keep track of cookies. When IceCat detects this mechanism it blocks cookies from the site hosting the zero-length image file. (It is possible to re-enable such a site by removing it from the blocked hosts list.)

# Other sites rewrite the host name in links redirecting the user to another site, mainly to &quot;spy&quot; on clicks. When this behavior is detected, IceCat shows a message alerting the user.

# Other sites rewrite the host name in links redirecting the user to another site, mainly to &quot;spy&quot; on clicks. When this behavior is detected, IceCat shows a message alerting the user.

Revision as of 10:03, 20 October 2013

GNU IceCat

GNU IceCat (originally GNU IceWeasel) is part of GNUzilla (the GNU version of the Mozilla Application Suite). GNU IceCat aim to be based on the the current official release of Firefox Extended Support Release (ESR) with removal of trademarked artwork and proprietary components.

However, IceCat is not a straight fork of Firefox ESR; instead, it is a parallel effort that works closely with and re-bases in synchronization on the latest Firefox ESR as the upstream supplier, with patches merged upstream whenever possible; although it should be noted that security updates to IceCat.

Another important difference between Mozilla's Firefox and GNU IceCat is that IceCat has a focus on freedom and privacy, such that it is designed to make it easy for the user to: block execution of non-free JavaScript with GNU LibreJS or disable all JS, block privacy trackers with SpyBlock (Adblock Plus fork), get redirected to HTTPS when possible with HTTPS Everywhere, and more!

And lastly, whereas new versions of Firefox are being created such that they support Digital Restrictions Management systems through their implementation of the Encrypted Media Extension, GNU IceCat will not include an EME implementation as it opposes efforts to popularize and ease the dissemination of DRM technology and related proprietary software.

GNU IceCat was formerly known as GNU IceWeasel but changed its name to avoid confusion with Debian IceWeasel who had the name first.

HELP US: we are working to improve our list of addons and extensions for GNU IceCat. Please help us in reviewing proposed addons and adding those that are properly licensed free software programs. See:

This extension prevents Google and Yandex search pages from modifying search result links when you click them. This is useful when copying links but it also helps privacy by preventing the search engines from recording your clicks.

AiOS lets you open various windows as sidebar panels, and quickly switch between them. So it put an end to the window chaos! In addition to bookmarks and history it opens dialogues such as downloads, add-ons and more in the sidebar.

Allows quick enable and disable of Java, Javascript, Cookies, Image Animations, Flash, Silverlight, Images, Stylesheets and Proxy from the Toolbar. This is great for increasing security or decreasing bandwidth.

Wappalyzer is a browser extension that uncovers the technologies used on websites. It detects content management systems, eCommerce platforms, web servers, JavaScript frameworks, analytics tools and many more.

Restyle the web with Stylish, a user styles manager. Stylish lets you easily install themes and skins for Google, Facebook, YouTube, Orkut, and many, many other sites. You can even customize Firefox and other programs themselves.

Licensing

"Because we hope and want our privacy enhancements to be picked up by Mozilla itself, we are keeping the same tri-licensing scheme for Gnuzilla/IceCat as GNU uses: MPL/GPL/LGPL." - icecat-<version>/README.IceCat

"Because we hope and want our privacy enhancements to be picked up by Mozilla itself, we are keeping the same tri-licensing scheme for Gnuzilla/IceCat as GNU uses: MPL/GPL/LGPL." - icecat-<version>/README.IceCat

"Because we hope and want our privacy enhancements to be picked up by Mozilla itself, we are keeping the same tri-licensing scheme for Gnuzilla/IceCat as GNU uses: MPL/GPL/LGPL." - icecat-<version>/README.IceCat

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